John Barry: An American Hero in the Age of Sail by Tim McGrath (book review)
Most of the heroes in the American Revolutionary War fought on the land. The very small, hastily formed Continental Navy had to use raids on enemy commercial shipping or coastal targets and occasional small-scale actions against lesser British military craft. Only two American naval officers, both foreign-born, emerged from the war with true hero status, and only one of them, John Paul Jones, is widely known. The other American naval hero - John Barry - shared Jones's Celtic roots and humble origins. "Barry is still called 'Father of the American Navy' in some circles," McGrath reveals in his foreword. [Buy from Amazon: US] (wsj.com)
Fusiliers: The Saga of a British Redcoat Regiment in the American Revolution (book review)
In one day, the British in Boston had gone from rebel hunters to the besieged. Author Mark Urban tells how the Royal Welch Fusiliers - the 23rd Regiment of the British Army in North America - eventually revenged numerous times that humiliation on April 19, 1775. But the Fusiliers would end their role in the American Revolution as POWs. The book provides the viewpoint of the British soldiers fighting for King George III - also shooting down myths on why the British lost the war. For example, the British changed their parade-ground fighting tactics to "Indian style" surprising George Washington's troops in 1776 and in 1777. [Buy from Amazon: US] (jg-tc.com)
British warship HMS Somerset III resurfaces off Cape Cod
The wreck of the British warship HMS Somerset III, which was guarding Boston Harbor the night Paul Revere slipped by on his famous journey to Lexington in 1775, has reappeared in the shifting sands off Cape Cod. Federal park officials are seizing the moment and having the wreck "digitally preserved" using 3D imaging technology. "We know the wreck is going to disappear again under the sand, and it may not resurface again in our lifetimes," explained historian William P. Burk. The Somerset fought in the American Revolution and had a crew of more than 400. (boston.com)
Researching Revolutionary War ancestors
If your family tree in America goes back to 1775-1783, it is likely you can claim descendency from at least one ancestor who had some type of service related to the Revolutionary War. --- DAR Patriot Index (compiled by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) contains data for men and women who provided service to the patriot's cause 1774-1783. --- Index to Revolutionary War Service Records: 4 volume set by Virgil White includes abstracts of military service records from National Archives. --- Pierce's Register provides an index to Revolutionary War claim records, including the veteran's name, certificate number and military unit. (about.com)
Historian crushes myths about the American Revolution [long article]
We believe we know the Revolutionary War. After all, the American Revolution not only determined the nation we would become but also continues to define who we are. The Declaration of Independence, the Midnight Ride, Valley Forge - the whole glorious chronicle of the colonists' rebellion against tyranny is the basis for the American legacy. Often the Revolutionary War is a child's first encounter with history. Yet much of what we know is not completely true. The War of Independence is filed with beliefs not based in the facts. Here the biggest myths of the Revolutionary War are re-evaluated. (smithsonianmag.com)
Letters reveal British despair during the American War of Independence
An archive of letters has revealed the despair of British commanders during the American War of Independence. Their pessimistic views contrast dramatically with the communications of George III and his ministers in London who were out-of-touch and absurdly optimistic. The documents, part of a collection in private possession for two centuries, reveal a much darker analysis by British generals than thought. According to the collection - on sale at Sotheby's in New York in a series of auctions - they began to despair of victory virtually as soon as the conflict began in 1775. (telegraph.co.uk)
Monument to Haitian soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War unveiled
After 230 years as unsung contributors to American independence, Haitian soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War's bloody siege of Savannah have their own monument. The six bronze figures standing atop a granite base, in Savannah, Ga., symbolize over 500 free black volunteers who fought in the battle of Savannah. "This is a testimony to tell people we Haitians didn't come from the boat. We were here in 1779 to help America win independence," explained Daniel Fils-Aime, of the Haitian American Historical Society. After travelling back Haitian veterans led their own rebellion that won Haiti's independence from France in 1804. (caribbeanlifenews.com)
Teachers learn lesson about South's role in the American Revolutionary War
With backpacks in tow and cameras in hand, a group of teachers followed Larry Babits along the tour at Cowpens National Battlefield. "There's 3 years of fighting between the Battle of Saratoga and the American victory at Yorktown. And most of that fighting took place in the South, and a lot of the real turning-point battles took place in the South. The textbooks don't tend to reflect that, so this workshop is filling a gap," explained Melissa Walker. History teachers don't realize the extent to which the Revolution was about Americans fighting Americans - British loyalists against American patriots - and how many men changed sides. (goupstate.com)